West Brom goalkeeping picture shifts as Max O’Leary signs new deal and Stoke eye Josh Griffiths | OneFootball

Max O’Leary has signed a three-year contract at West Bromwich Albion, clarifying the goalkeeping picture, though key calls remain. ExpressAndStar.com reports the 29-year-old impressed after a January switch from Bristol City. His short-term deal had expired this summer.

Albion’s No.1 rotated last season. Josh Griffiths began in goal, then in December former boss Ryan Mason replaced him with Joe Wildsmith, who struggled, before reverting to Griffiths for his final game, a defeat to Leicester.

Eric Ramsay’s opening weeks were no better, capped by a 5-0 loss to Norwich, which proved the final outing before Albion sealed a short-term move for O’Leary.

The former Bristol City keeper rose through Ashton Gate to become No.1 and helped the Robins reach the 2024/25 play-offs. He later lost his spot to Manchester United loanee Radek Vitek and, with six months left, sought regular football.

O’Leary’s debut at Derby brought one glaring error, then he found form. He recorded five successive clean sheets and eight in 16 league games, though some supporters remain unconvinced he should start next season.

Head coach James Morrison now has a call to make, with Griffiths, 24, reportedly drawing interest from Stoke. His future could lie elsewhere if he chases a regular No.1 role, and he is under contract until next summer.

Wildsmith, 30, has departed. Prospects Ben Cisse and Joe Wallis, both 20, remain in the frame, Cisse weighing new terms and Wallis extending. In the under-21s, Brian Okonkwo, 20, has an offer and Louis Brady, 19, an extension.

Source: ExpressAndStar.com